The progress from 06-2022 until 12-2021 will be divided into two sections, as two concepts for morphing movables are considered within AEROMO2. The first concept is focusing on the kinematic of the morphing movable using a minimum amount of basic components (only 2), while the actuation technology is classical. The second concept integrates most functions necessary to perform the morphing of a movable in a single product.
The development to higher TRL of the first concept for morphing movable led to the development of specific test methods to characterise the large deformation behaviour of thermoplastic composite structures. Two structures are used within this concept, i.e. a compliant skin in combination with an hinge based on a deformable structure, having as contradictory characteristic to be bending compliant though shear stiff. The use of thermoplastic composites is supported by its performance tunability, low density and recyclability. Still these materials are usually used for their high stiffness, not for their compliance. The combination of large deformation and repeated loadings asked for the development of test methods on element level in order to describe the limits and the failure behaviour for these structures. Simulating the behaviour of these flexible structure is necessary to provide the industry with the possibility to design these morphing structures for any type of movable and aircraft. It was found in this first period that a test method reproducing the typical deformation patterns leading to failure was necessary. This method used curved coupon specimens was used both under quasi-static conditions as under fatigue conditions to build a material model specific for the type of material used. This material model was then used to provide a new design for a set of requirements meant for a morphing winglet application.
The main objective concerning the second concept, meant to provide a design solution integrating all function necessary for a morphing movable, was to develop a manufacturing technology for the concept. The main principle of the concept relies on a fluid based actuator which when morphing provides the required shape change. Main challenges for the production of this concepts concerned the choice of suitable materials, adhesion between metal and elastomers, as well as the machining of this material combination. The integration of a fibre based strain measurement system was also taken into account for the control of the deformation during morphing. These principles were applied to a single cell and successfully tested, while the coming period will see the design and production of a larger scale multicell system meant as a demonstrator.
